The first place to start packing your kids is a travel backpack, but there are plenty of options. What is the best type of holdall?
In this luggage guide, we’ll explain the different types of bags and which ones are best for your child’s age and stage.
Next, we’ll explain why backpacks are preferred for the type of international travel we often do. , is the backpack suitable for you and your child?
What kind of travel bags are available for children?
There are so many options for what kind of luggage your child can bring on their trip, and it depends a lot on your child’s age, ability, and type of trip. Your child may only have one carry-on-size bag on the plane that can fit everything they need for the entire trip. Or pack all clothing and toiletries in the family’s suitcase (we recommend giving each child her own packing her cube). Then all your child needs are toys and snacks to take on the car, plane, train, or any mode of transportation!
The main types of children’s luggage are:
kids travel backpack
Children’s travel backpacks are lightweight and made from extremely durable materials. It is carried over the shoulder with two straps and varies widely in size and capacity from toddlers to teenagers.
Little ones can have a quirky backpack that attaches to a harness or reins and is big enough for a few small toys and essentials for hiking, school camps, and everything in between. to a much larger backpack, which means that these features are listed below. rolling luggage
There is certainly a time and place for cute little rolling suitcases for kids. If you’re going on a very hassle-free resort-style vacation or traveling where your bags are in the trunk of your car rather than under your child’s feet, a suitcase with wheels might work well. also has several subcategories.
Trolley Cases
Smaller versions of adult cases in a hard shell or durable nylon with 2 wheels or 4 swivel wheels for maximum maneuverability.
Ride-On Suitcase
A four-wheeled suitcase that your child can sit on and pull. You can find an overview of this type of child luggage here.
Scooter Case
Combine a small hard case with your scooter for added portability – Learn more about our Kids Scooter Case here.
Rolling Backpack
A mixture of a suitcase and a backpack. Whilst they can be carried over the shoulder, they allow kids the option to pull their suitcases along too. If they are bringing this as their only bag, it may be a better option for small kids, though note they really are NOT then practical to use as a day bag for hikes or taking along to dinner out in a restaurant – the frame and wheels will add substantially to the overall weight of the bag.
There may not be just one style of kids’ travel bag that will suit your needs for a whole journey; you will have to pick out the type of bag that will suit your needs for MOST of the time. And remember, invariable at some point in your journey – especially if you have children under the age of about 8 – you will end up needing to pull or carry this bag at some point!!
Because our international travels have always involved a combination of long haul flights, rental cars, and hopping on and off different forms of transport frequently, we have always found it best to equip all of us with a backpack each, then limit ourselves to one or two family suitcases.
Size & Weight
Essential for a child’s product, if the expectation is they are the ones carrying it, it’s got to fit their body. As mentioned earlier, each roller bag has a rigid frame inside, which adds weight to it for a child.The more zippers, gadgets, and unnecessary novelties inside the bag, the heavier the bag.
If you plan to bring the bag into your car or store it under the seat in front of you on an airplane, make sure it compresses small enough. It’s too wide to comply with the airline’s carry-on policy when it’s full.
Also think about the items you want to put in your bag. Electronics and headphones can be bulky because they aren’t too heavy, but you should measure these items before buying a travel backpack for your child.
belt
A must for children’s travel backpacks is comfort. After sorting your size, make sure your backpack has padding and adjustable straps. The better the fit, the less frustration you will have with wearing it. An added bonus for larger packs is the sternum and waist straps to distribute the weight evenly.
Also, if the bag has an extra handle in addition to the strap, you can easily lift it without pulling on the strap.
subject
It’s not a deal breaker for a kid’s backpack unless you’re a serious hiker, but separate pockets certainly help kids stay organized. Zippered front compartment for valuables if available. materials and durability
It goes without saying that the bag will outlast the trip. Always choose quality over novelty. Check the quality of the seams and stitches, the strength of the zipper. Woven materials are almost always better than those made of plastic and glued together.
Not essential for all types of travel, but look for waterproof materials in case of inclement weather. It’s not completely waterproof, but it will give your gear extra protection if you get caught in the rain. Another consideration when traveling in hot weather is back ventilation.
We also look for materials that are machine washable or easy to wipe clean for obvious reasons.
Can’t you use her school bag?
While a school backpack might double as a travel backpack, chances are they are serving different purposes. School backpacks tend to be quite large to fit book bags, lunch boxes, gym kit; you name it! But tend to be built for style and space over practicality.
Besides, have you seen how grubby they get by the end of term?! We like to keep a special bag set aside just for travel but we do tend to travel at every single term break. If you’re only taking one vacation in a year then yes, a decent quality school backpack, if it has excellent shoulder straps and isn’t overfilled, could double as your next travel backpack.
Best travel backpack for toddlers (under 4’s)
When your toddler wants to start independently taking their own little luggage with them, please proceed with caution! We see so many new parents run straight to adorable little suitcases – which are just that; adorable, but impractical for serious travellers. For most types of travel (airplanes, public transport, rental cars, etc.), I’ve found that the best type of luggage for toddlers is a small backpack with a detachable lead.
Winners for Best Toddler Travel Backpack:
Munchkin Brica by-My-Side Seatbelt Backpack
This is the best toddler backpack for parents who want a backpack that is not only cute but also very practical. The backpack straps are fully adjustable, and the backpack itself is large enough to fit a few snacks, shots, and a few essentials.
